Mara Aurelai
Ducha of Stalsinek
Luna Mine, Harterra
Mara wrinkled her nose as she opened the door of her speeder. The air outside reeked of sulfur and other minerals, creating a noxious cloud just outside the entrance to the mine. Her expression only grew more disgusted as she took her first few steps on the muddy ground. She had dressed for the locale, trading her Hapan gowns for a more practical getup, but still. Her boots were expensive.
Arlessa should be arriving any minute in her own speeder. Relations had cooled between them since Secciah’s funeral, but Mara took it as a good sign that Arlessa had requested she join her as they toured the famous Luna Mine, where most of Harterra’s precious moonstones were harvested. Moonstones had long been the source of House Khal’s wealth—and according to Mara’s spies, it might soon become their ruin.
The Queen Mother had recently asserted that Harterra’s moonstones were now a “strategic resource of the Consortium” rather than a provincial asset. Arlessa was expected to increase exports to the royal court at reduced “tribute rates”. If she complied with the Queen’s demands, she risked bankruptcy. If she refused, she might be labeled as disloyal to the crown—or worse.
Whatever decision Arlessa made, it would have consequences not only for the future of her family, but for Harterra’s economy as a whole. The miners who labored would be affected, as would everyone else who profited from those beautiful rocks. It would suit Mara's purposes to destabilize Arlessa's reign, of course, but she wasn't sure if the fallout would be worth it.
Mara wrinkled her nose as she opened the door of her speeder. The air outside reeked of sulfur and other minerals, creating a noxious cloud just outside the entrance to the mine. Her expression only grew more disgusted as she took her first few steps on the muddy ground. She had dressed for the locale, trading her Hapan gowns for a more practical getup, but still. Her boots were expensive.
Arlessa should be arriving any minute in her own speeder. Relations had cooled between them since Secciah’s funeral, but Mara took it as a good sign that Arlessa had requested she join her as they toured the famous Luna Mine, where most of Harterra’s precious moonstones were harvested. Moonstones had long been the source of House Khal’s wealth—and according to Mara’s spies, it might soon become their ruin.
The Queen Mother had recently asserted that Harterra’s moonstones were now a “strategic resource of the Consortium” rather than a provincial asset. Arlessa was expected to increase exports to the royal court at reduced “tribute rates”. If she complied with the Queen’s demands, she risked bankruptcy. If she refused, she might be labeled as disloyal to the crown—or worse.
Whatever decision Arlessa made, it would have consequences not only for the future of her family, but for Harterra’s economy as a whole. The miners who labored would be affected, as would everyone else who profited from those beautiful rocks. It would suit Mara's purposes to destabilize Arlessa's reign, of course, but she wasn't sure if the fallout would be worth it.
